Synergistic Densification in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic MXenes for Optimized Photothermal Conversion

Optimizin the efficient light-trapping in the photothermal conversion by enhancing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is crucial in improving light-heat-conversion efficiency of Ti(3)C(2)T(x )MXene. However, its susceptibility to oxidation makes it prone to oxides formation, diminishing its metallic properties and significantly reducing the LSPR effect. This work synthesizes a kind of air-stable hybrid Ti3C2Tx MXenes by a synergistic densification strategy that incorporates sulfhydryl-bonding between organic and inorganic parts by reacting Ti3C2Tx MXene with thiocarboxylic acids. The resultant shortening of electron transport pathways, enhanced charge density, and the generation of additional electronic states around the Fermi level collectively contribute to an augmented LSPR effect. Additionally, the hybrid Ti3C2Tx MXenes also demonstrate high-temperature resistance and reduced water interactions. These combined effects substantially elevate photothermal conversion efficiency through thiocarboxylic acids modification, reaching a photothermal evaporation rate of 1.77 kg m(-2)h(-1) with 94.56% efficiency in hybrid Ti(3)C(2)T(x)x MXenes. The approach paves the way for the design and development of a three-in-one strategy for photothermal conversion.